A suspect believed to be a leader of the Tren de Aragua international criminal network has been arrested in Los Angeles following an extradition request from Chile.
The individual arrested is 40-year-old Rafael Enrique Gamez Salas, also known as “El Turko.”
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Salas is alleged to be the head of “Los Piratas,” an operational branch of Tren de Aragua in Chile.
Facing Multiple Serious Charges
According to the Chilean indictment, Salas will stand trial on seven criminal charges, including:
- Criminal organization
- Two counts of extortion
- Two counts of illegal discharge of a firearm
- Kidnapping resulting in death
- Kidnapping for ransom
These allegations are related to several cases that occurred in Chile during 2024, which are as serious in nature as the kidnapping conspiracy involving employees that recently shook the U.S. public.
Kidnapping Case That Shocked Chile
One of the most prominent cases involving Salas is the kidnapping and murder of a Venezuelan military lieutenant in Santiago in February 2024. The incident draws parallels to the brutal nature of the suspect in the murder of a Caltech scientist due to its cold-blooded details.
According to the investigation:
- Members of “Los Piratas” impersonated Chilean police
- They forced the victim to leave their apartment
- They subsequently kidnapped the victim
The victim's body was discovered a week later, buried in concrete and covered with lime.
Suspect's Repeated U.S. Immigration Violations
Judicial records show that Salas had previously:
- Been deported from the U.S. in 2023 for illegal entry
- Subsequently re-entered the U.S. illegally
In 2025, Salas was indicted in Texas for human smuggling and later pleaded guilty in April 2025.
Arrested While Serving Federal Sentence
When the extradition warrant was issued, Salas was serving a sentence in Central California.
On March 12, 2026, the United States Marshals Service arrested Salas pursuant to the extradition warrant. This was the result of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to crackdown on criminal gangs hiding in California.
The suspect appeared before a federal judge in Los Angeles and remains in custody pending extradition proceedings to Chile.
USA: Not a Haven for International Criminals
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated:
The United States will not become a safe haven for high-level members of transnational criminal organizations.
He emphasized that the arrest of Salas demonstrates the coordination between the U.S. and international law enforcement agencies in dismantling transnational criminal networks that threaten the safety of the global community.
